§ Order for Second Reading read.
2.28 pm§ Mr. Clive Efford (Eltham)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
The Bill went through its Committee stage in the last Session of Parliament, and has received support from hon. Members on both sides of the House. It has the support of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association and the Consumers Association, and has widespread support outside the House.
§ Mr. David Maclean (Penrith and The Border)This is an important measure which, although it was considered in the last Session, needs to be considered again today. Thomas Threadgold, the engineer who was born in 1787 and died in 1829, devoted his spare time, while still an apprentice, to the study of mathematics and architecture. During his career, which included carpentry, he continued to study science and engineering. One legacy of that was his book "Principles of Warming and Ventilating Public Buildings", which contains the following:
One of the most valuable arts which Divine Goodness has placed within our reach is that of producing and distributing heat. Destitute of this power, the condition of man in the world would not be much superior to that of the lower animals. It is a power that adds to our comfort anywhere, but acquires an additional value in the cold and variable climate of Britain. Hence, the art of applying heat has been studied with attention, and illustrated with talent, while it has been practised by men of no ordinary skill. Yet there still appears to be a field sufficiently open for new and useful researches".
§ It being half-past Two o'clock, the debate stood adjourned.
§ Debate to be resumed on Friday 5 March.